The driver in the lower tier of the Monster Energy Cup Series that made the most gains was by far McDowell. Even though he only competed in 31 of the 36 races, he guided the Leavine Family Racing team to two Top-10 finishes, his career-best 24.5 average finish and a 30th-place effort in the driver standings. More often times than not, McDowell was finishing on the lead lap and in or near the Top 20. That's an incredible improvement over where this team had been finishing as a part-time race team in the recent past. So the move to full-time racing for the No. 95 Chevrolet team was an unquestionable success. McDowell returns to this small team in 2017 and for a full slate of races. It's expected that he'll be reunited with veteran crew chief Todd Parrott and the two will continue on what they built last season.

McDowell started 22nd on the grid for Sunday's Great American Race. He'd see this battle all the way through to the end, bringing his No. 34 Ford home in ninth-place in the season-opening Daytona 500, teamfrm.com reports.

K-LOVE Radio will join McDowell in his move to Front Row Motorsports, partnering with the No. 34 Ford team for five races in the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season, Front Row Motorsports PR reports.

Front Row Motorsports will step up its two-car Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series program in 2018 with an elevated partnership with Ford Performance. The Bob Jenkins-owned team will put experience behind the wheel of its Fords, re-signing veteran David Ragan and adding free agent McDowell to the driver roster, Front Row Motorsports PR reports.

Team leadership at Circle Sport - Leavine Family Racing has announced that Todd Parrott will assume crew chief duties for the No. 95 entry in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for the remainder of the 2016 season, Circle Sport - Leavine Family Racing PR reports.